Pituitary carcinoma in a bitch: clinical, tomographic, histopathological and immunohistochemistry findings

Background: Primary pituitary carcinoma is rarely reported in dogs and only few reports describe its malignancy. In veterinary literature, primary pituitary carcinomas correspond up to 2.4% to 3.4% of intracranial neoplasms found in dogs andinformation regarding its biological behavior is quite limited. In humans, primary pituitary carcinomas represent less than1.0% of all tumors found in the pituitary gland. The proposed classification for pituitary carcinoma in humans and dogsdetermines that the tumor must have its origin in adenohypophyseal region and disseminated metastasis by cerebrospinalfluid or systemically to other organs must be observed. In dogs, a few reports have described primary pituitary carcinoma.The goal of this report was to describe clinical, tomographic, histopathological and immunohistochemistry features of abitch with primary pituitary carcinoma with adjacent invasion.Case: A 7-year-old female spayed Golden Retriever dog was assessed by general practice due progressive weight loss,muscular atrophy, lethargy, blindness, head pressing, and hyporexia for 21 days. Computed tomography (CT) showeda cerebral parenchyma with expansive extra-axial base formation, originating from sella turcica topography, measuringabout 2.0 cm dorsally, displacing the third ventricle, suggesting the diagnosis of pituitary neoplasia. The hormones thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) and total thyroxine (T4) as well as stimulation ACTH test were unremarkable. After 7 days,neurological clinical signs progressed and unfortunately the patient died ten days later after hospitalization. A necropsyexam revealed pituitary gland with increased dimensions (2.5 x 2.0 cm). Histopathological fi ndings revealed tumor proliferation in pituitary gland. The neoplasm showed invasion to the nervous parenchyma and metastatic foci between the brainlobes. Immunohistochemistry was positive for keratin and neuron-specifi c enolase...

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in cats

Background: Esophageal neoplasms are rarely reported in cats. The frequency rate is less than 0.5% and those neoplasms are usually malignant. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an idiopathic epithelial neoplasm, invasive and metastatic that can induce partial or complete obstruction of the esophageal lumen. There is no breed or sex predisposition, and it is more common in cats over 8-years-old. Esophageal SCC is more frequent in the middle third of the esophagus. The prognosis is poor, as the cats are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. This report aims to describe clinical, endoscopic, radiographic, and pathological features of two cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in cats. Cases: A 11-year-old neutered male cat presenting regurgitation, weight loss, anorexia and dyspnea was referred to veterinary internal medicine care. Simple and contrast-enhanced radiographic images of the cervical and thoracic regions showed an alveolar pattern in the cranial lung lobes and signs of esophageal lumen irregularity and dilatation in the mediastinum topography. The upper digestive endoscopy showed a dilated esophageal lumen, and an irregular mass was observed in the thoracic esophagus involving the entire esophageal circumference. Biopsy fragments were collected, and the histopathological result was compatible with squamous cell carcinoma. The second case was a 10-year-old neutered male cat presenting hyporexia, regurgitation, dyspnea, tachypnea, and abnormal breath sounds. The ultrasound of the chest showed 3 amorphous hypoechogenic and heterogeneous areas in the right and left hemithorax between parietal and visceral pleura. The cytological examination was compatible with a malignant epithelial tumor. The patient died 3 months after the onset of clinical signs. At gross exam, it was observed a friable, irregular, and ulcerated mass of 5.0 x 3.0 cm in the middle third of the esophagus...

Fatores de risco e sintomatologia clínica associados à infecção pelo FELV: estudo caso-controle em um hospital escola veterinário / Risk factors and clinical symptomatology related with FELV: case-control study in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores de risco e características clínicas da infecção pelo vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV) em gatos domésticos (Felis catus) atendidos em um hospital escola veterinário. Para a determinação dos fatores de risco, foi realizado estudo caso-controle e para a caracterização da sintomatologia clínica dos animais doentes, foi realizado estudo descritivo. Foram avaliados 175 prontuários médicos de gatos atendidos no hospital durante o período de janeiro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014, sendo 34 animais (19,4%) positivos para o vírus. Foi observada associação entre idade e infecção pelo FeLV (p=0,009), em que a maior incidência da infecção ocorreu em animais com idade entre um e quatro anos. Neoplasias hematopoiéticas (p=0.00002), anemia (p<0,0000001), leucopenia (p=0,04) e hiperproteinemia (p=0,043) estiveram associadas com a FeLV. Sinais clínicos associados aos sistemas respiratório, digestório, tegumentar e nervoso estiveram presentes em 20,6%, 14,7%, 5,9% e 5,9%, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a idade está associada à infecção pelo FeLV, sendo o grupo de animais entre um e quatro anos com maior risco, enquanto sexo e acesso à rua não são fatores de risco para a infecção. A infecção pelo FeLV está associada à anemia, leucopenia, neoplasias hematopoiéticas e hiperproteinemia.

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and clinical features of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in domestic cats (Felis catus) seen at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A case-control study was performed to determine the risk factors and a descriptive study was done to define the clinical symptoms of the sick animals. From January 2013 to January 2014, 175 medical records of cats seen at the hospital were evaluated. FeLV was found in 34 of them (19.4%). It was noticed an association between age and the FeLV infection (p=0,009); higher incidence of the infection occurring in animals between one and four years old. Hematopoietic neoplasias (p=0,000022), anemia (p<0,0000001), leukopenia (p=0,04) and hyperproteinemia (p=0,043) were associated with FeLV infection. Unspecific symptoms were observed in 51.8% of the animals. Clinical signs associated with respiratory, digestive, tegumentary and nervous systems were present in 20.6%, 14.7%, 5.9% and 5.9% respectively. This study concluded that age between one and four years old is a risk factor for FeLV infection. On the other hand, sex and outdoor access are not risk factors for the infection. FeLV infection is associated with anemia, leucopenia, hematopoietic neoplasia and hyperproteinemia.

Fatores de risco e sintomatologia clínica associados à infecção pelo FELV: estudo caso-controle em um hospital escola veterinário / Risk factors and clinical symptomatology related with FELV: case-control study in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores de risco e características clínicas da infecção pelo vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV) em gatos domésticos (Felis catus) atendidos em um hospital escola veterinário. Para a determinação dos fatores de risco, foi realizado estudo caso-controle e para a caracterização da sintomatologia clínica dos animais doentes, foi realizado estudo descritivo. Foram avaliados 175 prontuários médicos de gatos atendidos no hospital durante o período de janeiro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014, sendo 34 animais (19,4%) positivos para o vírus. Foi observada associação entre idade e infecção pelo FeLV (p=0,009), em que a maior incidência da infecção ocorreu em animais com idade entre um e quatro anos. Neoplasias hematopoiéticas (p=0.00002), anemia (p<0,0000001), leucopenia (p=0,04) e hiperproteinemia (p=0,043) estiveram associadas com a FeLV. Sinais clínicos associados aos sistemas respiratório, digestório, tegumentar e nervoso estiveram presentes em 20,6%, 14,7%, 5,9% e 5,9%, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a idade está associada à infecção pelo FeLV, sendo o grupo de animais entre um e quatro anos com maior risco, enquanto sexo e acesso à rua não são fatores de risco para a infecção. A infecção pelo FeLV está associada à anemia, leucopenia, neoplasias hematopoiéticas e hiperproteinemia.(AU)

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and clinical features of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection in domestic cats (Felis catus) seen at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A case-control study was performed to determine the risk factors and a descriptive study was done to define the clinical symptoms of the sick animals. From January 2013 to January 2014, 175 medical records of cats seen at the hospital were evaluated. FeLV was found in 34 of them (19.4%). It was noticed an association between age and the FeLV infection (p=0,009); higher incidence of the infection occurring in animals between one and four years old. Hematopoietic neoplasias (p=0,000022), anemia (p<0,0000001), leukopenia (p=0,04) and hyperproteinemia (p=0,043) were associated with FeLV infection. Unspecific symptoms were observed in 51.8% of the animals. Clinical signs associated with respiratory, digestive, tegumentary and nervous systems were present in 20.6%, 14.7%, 5.9% and 5.9% respectively. This study concluded that age between one and four years old is a risk factor for FeLV infection. On the other hand, sex and outdoor access are not risk factors for the infection. FeLV infection is associated with anemia, leucopenia, hematopoietic neoplasia and hyperproteinemia.(AU)